Irish Wonder

8 Days from $1,205 per person

Style: Value
|
Pace: Active

Centuries of Irish culture and heritage are revealed on this adventure across the windswept valleys of Ireland, from Dublin to the charismatic seaside villages along the Dingle Peninsula and the Blarney Stone, where you'll acquire the gift of the gab.

Travel to Europe often requires an overnight flight. Please arrange for flights to arrive on or before Day 1.

Overview

Centuries of Irish culture and heritage are revealed on this adventure across the windswept valleys of Ireland, from Dublin to the charismatic seaside villages along the Dingle Peninsula and the Blarney Stone, where you'll acquire the gift of the gab.

Travel to Europe often requires an overnight flight. Please arrange for flights to arrive on or before Day 1.

Welcome to Dublin. On arrival at Dublin Airport transfers will operate at 8:30 am, 11 am and 1 pm. Guests arriving later should make their own way to the hotel. Relax after check-in. Later your Local Specialist takes you on a panoramic sightseeing tour, which includes views of Dublin Castle, Trinity College, St. Patrick's Cathedral and Merrion Square. It's a great introduction to your Irish journey.

View the ruins of the Cistercian Abbey at Boyle, dating back to the 12th century. Visit the pilgrimage town of Knock in County Mayo, where the Virgin Mary appeared to villagers in 1879. Dine tonight at your hotel in Ballina.

Travel across the border into Northern Ireland for a visit to the Belleek Pottery center. Visit traditional weavers in the town of Donegal where you also view the 15th-century castle. Stop at Drumcliffe to view the grave of renowned Irish poet W.B. Yeats. See the harbor town of Mullaghmore, before returning to your hotel in Ballina.

This morning travel via Westport and the beautiful region of Connemara to Galway on the banks of the Corrib River. View the cathedral, built on the site of the old prison and stroll around Eyre Square. Tonight why not join your Travel Director and companions for a medieval banquet in an Irish castle?

This morning, drive to the western coast and the magnificent Cliffs of Moher. Bring the history of the cliffs to life with a visit to the 'Atlantic Edge' exhibition. Spend free time exploring Limerick on your own or perhaps join your Travel Director for an Optional Experience to Bunratty Folk Park.

This morning in Limerick, your orientation drive includes views of St. Mary's Cathedral and King John's Castle. Enjoy a scenic drive along the Dingle Peninsula. See the unspoiled and colorful villages and fishing harbors of Ireland's most westerly point. Later, arrive in the town of Tralee, famed for its annual 'Rose of Tralee' festival and beauty pageant before arriving at your hotel.

30 Day Refund Guarantee

We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.

Add air to your reservation

Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.

Price is per person and is based on two people sharing a twin bedded room. Single rooms are available at a supplement.

Single Room Supplement: from $270 per person

Triple Room Discount: $40 per person

Gratuities: Option to pre-pay gratuities for Travel Director and Driver $78 per person

Airport transfers: On arrival at Dublin Airport transfers will operate at 8:30 am, 11 am and 1 pm. Guests arriving later should make their own way to the hotel. Return transfers on the last travel day will arrive at Dublin Airport at 7 am, 9 am and 11 am.

AARP Members are entitled to an exclusive Member Benefit Discount on all Grand European Travel vacations. Plus receive a free travel gift! Call Toll Free: 1-866-847-3858 for details.

30 Day Refund Guarantee

We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.

Add air to your reservation

Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.

Reviews

Service rating :No surprises! Tour was very pleasant & tour guide & driver were both excellent. We are going on another tour with GET next Aug. 2019.

Response from Grand European Travel:

Wow! Thank you so much for your feedback and recommendation. We are thrilled that you enjoyed your trip to Ireland on Irish Wonder. We appreciate your loyalty and look forward to hearing from you after your 2019 adventure!

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Vacation :Excellent tour of the north west and western coast of Ireland, including Blarney. We enjoyed it throughly!
Recommended this tour to our friends & Family.

Service rating :The travel director was amazing. Bridget was willing to answer any questions I had, even if it was outside the scope of the tour. She was knowledgeable and pleasant. She helped make the trip great. Also, our driver, Aiden was amazing. With some of the places we went, I'm glad we had someone that was so talented.

Vacation :The whole process was simple and since I was able to book so early, it made payments easy to finish.

Service rating :Bernard was perfect,as well as Aiden our driver.The people we traveled with were "GREAT".Being on the bus for such a long time was not to my liking. First and last bus trip for me.My next trip to Ireland will be bed and breakfast. Thank you for the experience.

Service rating :Tour guide was excellent and itinerary was wonderful. For a "cost saver vacation" this trip was well worth the money. We saw a great deal of Ireland with a very knowledgeable guide and the bus was very clean and comfortable Included meals at hotels were also very good. I would highly recommend this trip.

Service rating :Bernard, our TD, was very interesting and had a wonderful sense of humor. He took great care in making sure that everything went smoothly on our trip. Aiden, our driver kept our couch meticulously clean and did a great job on those teeny tiny, twisty roads. They were a great team.

Vacation :The trip was very comprehensive but next time I would see fewer cities in the same amount of days. Too much time on the coach.

Service rating :I wish the tour guide had been more involved. They stayed on the bus and let us explore unless they had to get us tickets. Even then they gave us tickets and got back on the bus. I would have liked to see a lot more of the countryside and was disappointed that all the places we stayed were larger cities.

Response from Grand European Travel:

We apologize for your disappointing experience in your trip. Our guests' feedback is very valuable to us as it gives us the opportunity to make the necessary adjustments to further improve our product. We would like to assure you that the concerns you raised have been forwarded to the relevant teams for their review and investigation.

Monday, June 25, 2018

Vacation :I was hoping to see more of the smaller towns. I was also hoping that the tour would be more guided. We were left to explore on our own a lot more than I was expecting.

Service rating :Gary Willment, our guide was beyond outstanding in every conceivable manner.and his kind, courteous and expert guidance made the experience a huge success. Aiden Feurys, our amazing driver was also a gem and I shall recommend both of them to friends and family.
The trip began with near disaster because the vouchers I had for a transfer from Dublin Airport at 11:45 PM by Buslink Ltd. and a hotel at Maldron Newlands Cross did not result in the promised services. No driver was present and no human ever answered the telephone at the number given me for Buslink Ltd, not withstanding that on three separate occasions GET employees assured me that the arrangements had been properly made, No cabs were available due to a huge rugby tournament and the airport was dark with no more flights and no people around at all, I was lucky to have the assistance of kind Irish folks and - hours late upon arrival at the hotel, I was given a room even though I was advised - and Gary Willment confirmed that GET had not made the proper arrangements. Even so, Gary and Aiden were so outstanding that the trip was spectacular in every regard following the dangerous and exhausting ordeal for hours after my arrival.l Kudos to them for saving the day and making up the disaster created by apparent negligence of GET folks and/or others who did not make the promised arrangements,

Response from Grand European Travel:

Thank you for taking the time to write. We apologize for the mishap with your arrival. We can assure you you that the arrangements were properly made., but we will investigate this further and will be in touch with you when we have more information as to what caused the driver to not arrive as scheduled.

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Vacation :It would have been 5 stars but for the failures upon arrival, as explained.

Service rating :Our experience was great. Mainly because of Gary and Aiden. They were exceptional as a tour guide and driver. Gary showed patience and concern for everyone to enjoy the experience. He was a wealth of knowledge about Ireland. Aiden always made us feel safe driving those winding roads.

Vacation :Priced right for what we got. Hotels were first rate and food was exceptional

Service rating :Traveled to Ireland.W hat a great experience . The whole trip was a learning experience. Our tour guide Patricia was not only extremley knowledgable but a total; joy making sure that we also had much fun. And our driver Aiden not only made sure we were on time and safe to our destinations he also made sure to engage with all aboard the coach. I would have no issue travelling again

Response from Grand European Travel:

Thank you so much for your lovely comments. We are so pleased to see that you enjoyed Ireland and Patricia's expertise.

Service rating :We needed help complete the registration. It would not work for us. On the 3rd call we got help. Your brochure indicates airline seats would be arranged. That was not true and was confusing. It was hard to get seats on the plane for our LONG trip home since we were touring 24 hours before the flight.

Vacation :Tour director Sally and driver Aiden were wonderful.....safe and caring. Good stops and fun time at the Marble factory.....weaving demo....china factory....were good. The Yeats stop was stupid and we needed to pay for the tiny dirty bathroom

Service rating :Response time to questions, and delivering all information needed were key. Once we arrived, coordination for airport transfers were great.l The guide knew her stuff. We had three bus drivers...one who drove a little more aggressively that the others...we had a few folks who were a little carsick. The choice of places to visit was very good...a mix of the things all tourists come to see and some things more off the beaten track. I was not used to tour groups as large as ours. (On two previous tours with another company we were less than 30 tourists to 2 guides.) However, that being said, I really enjoyed my traveling companions....which included folks from Australia, Canada, and New Zealand as well as Americans. I rate the overall trip "excellent".

Service rating :Great coordination at all hotels. The bus driver was excellent and our tour guide Bernard kept us well informed and provided amusing tales along the way. The group we were traveling with were fun-loving and only added to the unique experience.

Response from Grand European Travel:

We appreciate you taking the time to leave feedback! Glad to hear your Irish Wonder trip was all you were hoping for.

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Vacation :Sales people very helpful. Easy to purchase the trip. On-line info provided good detail on how to proceed.

Service rating :Great time management, offering a multitude of sights, very important historic commentary. Always friendly and accommodating. Hotels, restaurants very good, as were the many other optional recommendations.

Service rating :This was my first trip to Europe and from booking thru the vacation the service was fantastic. Michelle walked me thru every step of the trip and our travel director Rachel and driver Adan were excellent. Rachel was always available and her historical perspective on our stops were great. She always had a smile and certainly represented your company well. I've already booked another trip!

Vacation :Other than an adequate hotel the first night in Dublin, the other hotels were very good. Meals were very good and the tour gave the traveler a great sampling of life in Ireland.

Service rating :Too much time on bus. Rained all the time( nothing u can do about that) first hotel had mildew on ceiling(Maldron). Last hotel was fabulous but we had no time in Trim. We did not get to enjoy the villages where we stayed. The only place we got to see was Dublin....which is dirty. We were on a constant schedule. Fabulous tour guide however!
If u don't like a rigid schedule don't go on this tour.

Response from Grand European Travel:

We are very sorry that this trip was not to your liking. While traveling on a Guided Vacation is not for everyone, we hope that you did find some highlights along the way. We appreciate your honest feedback.

Service rating :Trip was well planned. We had many amazing experiences that would not have been possible it I weren't on a tour. The Tour Director was well informed about the current events of Ireland as well as the history and was very entertaining. I definitely will travel with GET again.

Service rating :I ::) looked with GET be living I would get 100 credit since I am an Aarp member. They told me since I didn't book a round trip flight with them I wasn't eligible. People who booked their tour with AAA got a coupon even if they didn't fly round trip. The AARP brochure using GET was miss leading since it didn't clearly state the requirement for air travel.

Response from Grand European Travel:

Thank you for your message. after looking at your booking, we show that you did indeed receive your $100 discount for being an AARP member. That discount is applied for all AARP member bookings regardless of whether they book our airfare. At the time we offering an additional discount if you chose to have us book your airfare. Since you made your own flight arrangements, you did not qualify for that additional discount. We'd be happy to provide you a copy of your invoice showing the $100 discount taken off. So sorry for any confusion this caused.

Monday, May 1, 2017

Vacation :No c credit for booking with AARP and GET.

Response from Grand European Travel:

We'd be happy to provide you a copy of your invoice showing the $100 discount taken off. So sorry for any confusion this caused.

30 Day Refund Guarantee

We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.

Add air to your reservation

Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.

Similar Trips

U.S. citizens traveling to Ireland must have a current passport that is valid for six months beyond the conclusion of their trip. You can find information on how to apply for a passport here, and how to renew a passport here. No visa is required for U.S. citizens entering Ireland.

The currency in Ireland is the Euro (€). While it’s a good idea to bring some money for when you first arrive, you’ll usually find a better exchange rate in your destination. The most convenient way to obtain cash is to use your ATM card at local banks. We recommend you also bring a valid credit card for purchases while you are traveling. It is important that you inform your financial institutions of your travel plans before you leave home so they don’t flag your purchases as potentially fraudulent charges.

Irish national specialties including Irish stew, coddle, potato bread, corned beef and whiskey cake. Be sure to try an Irish breakfast, visit a chip shop for fresh fish and chips, and enjoy hearty lunch at a good local pub.

The climate in Ireland is temperate, with regular rainfall throughout the year. We suggest packing a variety of lightweight clothing items that can be layered to save space in your suitcase and give you more options for how to dress. A few important items to bring include sturdy walking shoes and a waterproof jacket with a hood. For more helpful information please refer to our Packing Tips & Packing List.

Tipping in Ireland is less common than in the U.S. When dining out, some restaurants will add a service charge of 12.5 percent to your bill, especially for groups. If a service hasn’t been added, it’s appropriate to leave 10 – 15 percent gratuity.

At the end of your guided vacation, it’s customary to offer your motor coach driver and Travel Director a gratuity. We recommend €3.00 per person/per day for your driver and €5.00 per person/per day for your Travel Director. Recommended gratuity for a Local Host and Local Specialist is 1-2 euros per person, paid at the conclusion of each guided visit. A convenient option is to prepay your tips before your departure.

Baggage on our trips is restricted to one large suitcase per person with dimensions not exceeding 30x19x10 inches and a maximum weight of 50 pounds. You are also permitted one piece of hand luggage, which should be small enough to fit under your coach seat or on the small overhead shelf compartment. Please note that luggage with an adjustable handle and wheels will not fit in the overhead compartment of the coach. Hotel porterage is included in your vacation.

You will need to be comfortable on your feet, walking and standing for up to three hours in various weather conditions. All of our vacations involve walking, often on cobblestone and uneven surfaces in historic city centers. In order to get the most out of your vacation you need to be able to comfortably walk 1-3 miles unassisted in one day, be in good condition and be able to keep pace with the group.

If you need any medications, it is important that you bring enough to last you the whole trip and keep them in your carry-on bag while you travel.

We highly recommend our optional Travel Protection Plan, which allows you to cancel for any reason up to 24 hours before departure. The plan also includes trip interruption, baggage loss or delay, and medical and emergency assistance. Click herefor a summary of coverage details, terms and conditions.

30 Day Refund Guarantee

We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.

Add air to your reservation

Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.

Similar Trips

Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.

Dublin

Dinner in Dublin City

Adult Price: €45.00

Come to one of Dublin's most locally-loved restaurant-pubs. You'll enjoy dinner and charming hospitality that this part of the world is renowned for.

Killarney

Celtic Steps

Adult Price: €36.00

Enjoy a spectacular evening of Irish music, song and dance performed by champion dancers and musicians and showcasing the music of Kerry and beyond.

Sligo

Luxurious River Shannon Cruise

Adult Price: €30.00

The longest river in the British Isles, the River Shannon is immortalised in songs and legends. Come with us for a cruise on this majestic river, through the beautiful rolling countryside of counties Leitrim and Roscommon. You’ll also enjoy refreshments on the luxurious Moon River Pleasure Cruiser.

Ballina

Fine Dining in a Stately Home

Adult Price: €55.00

We’ll travel by coach to an award-winning restaurant in a quirky, 19c neo-gothic manor house. Here you’ll be served authentic locally-sourced food in an elegant setting.

Limerick

Bunratty Castle And Folk Park

Adult Price: €20.00

Come on a visit to the 15th-century Bunratty Castle and admire its fine furnishings, antiques and paintings. With your local specialist, you’ll experience an Ireland of the past, as you wander through the folk park with its thatched cottages and smoky turf fires. In the village, we'll have free time to explore the quaint shops and relax in the local tea room.

Limerick

Medieval Castle Banquet

Adult Price: €69.00

Enjoy a banquet and medieval entertainment in the great hall of the castle. The court jester will make an appearance, as will the castle’s musicians and the ladies and gentlemen of the medieval court – giving you an evening you won’t forget.

Ballina

Irish Traditions and Song

Adult Price: €27.00

Tonight, you'll enjoy Irish hospitality in a cosy local pub. Experience the folk tradition and enjoy a drink while locals sing and play music for you.

30 Day Refund Guarantee

We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.

Add air to your reservation

Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.